Everton defender Phil Jagielka will face Manchester United on Sunday having
been bombarded with pre-match taunts from Wayne Rooney.

Jagielka says the good-natured ribbing was relentless when the duo were on England duty this week but after the 4-4 draw with Manchester United cost Sir Alex Ferguson’s team the title last season, the Everton defender is hoping to have the last word again.

“Wayne says plenty, believe me. When we’re away on international duty he’s always got plenty to say, and when the game comes round he’ll be throwing all sorts at you,” Jagielka said.

Rooney may not start ahead of the Champions League trip to Real Madrid, but Jagielka added: “There was a bit of banter flying around this week – obviously he’s expecting to score against us, and he makes it clear he can’t wait to play against me at the weekend. That’s just Wayne. He loves his football.

“I don’t say much back, I just smirk at him, because the more you say to him the more you encourage him.

"Wayne is a fantastic player, I don’t want to be winding him up and give him any more reason to try and play well and score than he has himself on Sunday.

“The final thing he said to me on Wednesday was ’see you Sunday’ with a massive smirk on his face.”

Everton’s anger at Rooney’s departure has receded in recent years, with many hoping he may return to Goodison one day.

Jagielka says he knows how much the club still means to him. “He still tries to support Everton as much as you can as someone still playing the game at a high level, but definitely, yeah he’s still an Everton man,” he said.

“He gets a lot of stick from our fans, but you put yourself in his situation, he was such a young lad with a massive, massive decision to make.

“It was bound to be a little bit difficult when he left – it’s the way it goes when someone leaves the club. If they don’t slag you off and hate you then you’ve not done very well for the club. It’s par for the course.

“I tell Wayne if he looks at it that way then the reason why the fans went so ballistic is they loved him and wanted him to be part of Everton folklore. It wasn’t to be.

"Wayne has matured these last few years and he still has an affection for Everton, but he won’t be doing us any favours.

“I don’t know if he will end up back here. We’d obviously welcome him back, but he’s done so much in his career and he’s not going to come back and not perform at the heights he’s done in his career.

"If he finished his career here he’d want to come back and make a difference.”